En garde: Top Vietnamese fencer Nguyen Thi Le Dung is eager to compete in the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers. — File Photo

HA NOI — Vietnamese fencers will have their eyes set on at least one spot in the 2012 London Olympics as they compete in the qualifying events next month.

Head of the National Sports Administration's fencing section Phung Le Quang said Vietnamese fencers would compete in three Olympic qualifying events in Qatar, London and Moscow in February and March in their quests for berths to the Olympics next summer.

The team, which includes Nguyen Thi Le Dung, Nguyen Tien Nhat and Truong Trinh Nhat Minh, are set to compete in the women's sabre and the men's epee events.

Dung, 26, is the most experienced and skilful of the Vietnamese fencers and is eager to earn a berth to the London Games.

The Hanoian is currently ranked world No 16 and she already has seven gold medals from SEA Games events to her credit.

"Viet Nam's fencing still has a fixed gap with the continent. However, Vietnamese fencers will try their best at qualifying events to gain one spot to the Olympics," said Quang.

"It's a challenge for Vietnamese fencers, but I do hope that they will do their best at the Olympics qualifiers".

For the first time ever, Viet Nam fencing took the lead with five medals in the 26th SEA Games which just finished in Indonesia.

Vietnamese fencers will take part in training sessions in China and Europe prior to the events. — VNS